Having a well-stocked kitchen makes meal planning easier. Use this basic foods checklist for some ideas to help stock your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer for simple meals. Personalize the list with foods you frequently use.
In the Pantry
Breakfast & Cereals
- Cereal (consider whole grain varieties)
- Oatmeal
- Pancake mix
Canned, Jarred, & Pouched Foods
- Fruits and vegetables (choose options without added sugar or salt)
- Meat, poultry, & seafood (fish, chicken, or other meats)
- Beans (pinto, black, garbanzo)
- Soups (look for lower sodium varieties)
- Nut butter (peanut, almond)
- Dried fruit
- Sauces (tomato, spaghetti, pizza)
- Salsa
- Broth or stock (chicken, beef or vegetable)
Grains, Pasta & Sides
- Bread (consider whole grain varieties)
- Tortillas or taco shells
- Pasta (consider whole grain varieties)
- Rice (include some whole grain rice, such as brown rice)
- Oats (old fashioned or rolled, quick, or steel cut)
Produce
- Onions
- Potatoes
Snacks
- Crackers (consider whole grain varieties)
- Popcorn
- Nuts (almonds, walnuts, etc.)